That's not quite true, but I've heard NJ does smell. Anyway, I woke up
around 8, and by 9:30 the guy took 4 of us back up to the trail. It
took about 15 minutes to get away from him because he likes to talk,
and that's putting it nicely.
I took 2 liters of water with me because at Wind Gap there's a motel .
1 miles off the trail, and it lasted me just fine until then. When I
made it there The Crusher, a French Canadian from Montreal, was
already sitting there. I went into the office and the lady refilled my
two bottles for me. A really nice, really short Indian lady. I ended
up getting a can of Sprite and a strawberry cheesecake ice cream bar
as well, but those cost money, whereas the water was free. Well worth
it though. The Crusher and I ate lunch at the motel, I had some nuts
along with my cold treats, and he also hooked me up with some natural
PB and a flatbread. I was nice and full after that.
There was a bit of a climb out of Wind Gap, but after it was all flat
again. That doesn't mean easy though, because the rocks were
everywhere. I know I've said this a lot, but there were just so many.
Probably the worst 7 mile section I've seen yet. Thank god I'll be in
NJ tomorrow, although I've heard that is rocky as well.
So for 7 miles there was nothing but rocks, until I came to Wolf Rocks
(more rocks), which was actually just fun boulder-jumping. Then it was
a quick 2+ miles to Kirkridge shelter. When I got there I met two new
hikers, Six Course and Likely. Likely ended up ordering pizza here, so
he shared it with The Crusher, Six Course, and I. Plus The Crusher and
I had come along some trail magic earlier that was specifically for
him from some girls he had met a few days before. There was hotdogs
and buns, so we carried that with us to the shelter. Pizza and hotdogs
for dinner, not your average hiker meal. I feel a bit spoiled tonight.
So I'll be in a new state tomorrow, but I might stay in the town right
across the border because there's a free hostel. I have a few things I
need to do (resupply, get new shorts, etc.), so a short 7 mile day
into town should allow me to do that, but who knows, I may do more
miles.
And Far Far, you are absolutely right about Palmerton. The Lehigh Gap
zinc smelting area is about a mile from it. You have a very good memory!
Total miles: 1278
You haven't heard NJ smells, you've experienced it firsthand when we drove through. Talk about headache inducing! The Crusher is a cool name, I like it. Well, I miss you and so does Lani, she is sitting right here next to me, she said she can't wait for you to come back and take her for a nice long walk. Love you!
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